Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Sarah pov.

The house smelled like roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread, and the faint sound of laughter filled the air.

I was setting up the dining table when the doorbell rang. My friends had promised to come over for a small lunch, and even though I had planned everything carefully, I couldn't shake the nervous flutter in my stomach. Hosting anything felt like a big deal these days-I got tired so easily. But I missed my girls, and today felt like the perfect excuse to catch up.

"Coming!" I called out, adjusting a plate before hurrying to the door.

When I opened it, Tanya stood there with a big grin and an even bigger box wrapped in shiny paper. Behind her were Nina and Claire, both carrying smaller gift bags.

"Baby shower came early!" Tanya announced, stepping inside and kissing me on the cheek.

"Oh, come on," I said, laughing. "It's just lunch. No gifts necessary."

"Yeah, well, too late," Nina chimed in, holding up a bag decorated with tiny rattles and pacifiers. "This is happening whether you like it or not."

I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling. These girls always knew how to make me feel loved.

The meal was simple but delicious. Roasted chicken, a hearty salad, warm bread-it was nothing fancy, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.

We sat around the table, talking and laughing like no time had passed since our last get-together.

"So," Claire started, leaning forward with a teasing smile, "any weird cravings yet? Pickles and ice cream? Peanut butter on pizza?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "Nothing that crazy. Mostly fruit, honestly. Although there was this one night I really wanted mustard on crackers."

"Mustard?" Tanya asked, making a face. "That's... different."

I said, grinning. "But he brought it to me anyway. That man

shifted to their own parenting stories. Tanya, who had two toddlers, shared a hilarious tale about her three-year-old hiding her car keys in

who didn't have kids yet, asked questions about everything from diapers to midnight feedings. Claire, the most

said, pointing her fork at me, "everybody's going to have an opinion about how you should do things. But you know your baby better than anyone.

trying to soak in every word. It felt good to hear their stories and

dining room, looking at the pile of gifts they'd left behind. There were tiny clothes,

started tidying up, clearing plates and wiping down

Some changes were obvious-my growing belly, the constant exhaustion-but others were

used to go out all the time, meeting up with friends for coffee

that the distance would strain our relationships. But today reminded me how strong

and Claire didn't care if I was too tired to leave the house or if I spent half the conversation complaining about swollen ankles. They

the sink, I realized how lucky I was to have people like

video called later in

was lounging on the couch with a glass of water, Richard walked in. He had

up to?" I

your eyes," he

"Why?"

"Just do it."

my eyes and holding out my hands. I

you can

I saw a folded piece of paper resting

"What's this?"

read it," he said,

It was

Dear Baby, it began.